Magazine Article

Fujifilm also unveiled the next step in printing solutions for
today’s mobile digital imaging generation with its Mobile
Printer MP-70, the first portable, handheld wireless printer
specifically designed for the accelerating U.S. camera phone
market. The MP-70 provides instant prints from infrared enabled
camera phone in only 20 seconds, anytime and anywhere. With its
portability, simple operated wireless printing and high quality
prints, MP-70 is set to create a new category of mobile printing
from camera phones.

Kodak (www.kodak.com) announced that its Perfect Touch
technology will be available in DLS versions of Noritsu QSS-33
Series and KIS System 80 Series digital minilabs. Previously
available only via off-site lab processing, this technology
individually analyzes and digitally processes each picture to
reveal less red-eye, more vibrant colors, richer detail and fewer
dark shadows. Both Systems will feature an upgraded version of
Kodak DLS software providing greater connectivity to Kodak Picture
Maker G3 kiosks. Kodak started Perfect Touch as a step-up
processing service for its drop-off Qualex customers and charged
extra for a roll with the upgraded quality. It proved to be a
popular offering and Perfect Touch will now play on a much bigger
stage on all output products. Its claims: “more vibrant
colors, richer detail, reduced red eye and fewer dark
shadows.”

Alex Hodges, kiosk marketing director for U.S. and Canada, said
that in May there will be a new software release for the G3 Picture
Maker, v. 5.0, replacing v. 4.0. This will equip G3 units with
three new features: Perfect Touch software capability; print at
retail for customers at home to upload images for transfer to their
local store; and, create an ‘upsell’ function in the
program that will pro-actively encourage customers to buy such
features as enlargements and CD’s. He feels that promotion
for these high margin products will be welcomed by the retailer. He
said that there were currently about 25,000 Picture Makers in the
U.S., about 15,000 of which are digitally enabled and that any
dealer with a G3 will get the software upgrade at no charge.

Kodak also announced a new, lower cost digital printing kiosk
product to make it easier for traditional and non-traditional
retailers alike to gain entry into the rapidly growing digital
printing space. The new Kodak Picture Maker kiosk is a
pedestal-style digital system, which has a significantly smaller
footprint and weight than current kiosks, and is ideal for
retailers who have not traditionally been able to justify on-site
digital printing services New kiosk features will enable
connectivity for remote business management and remote service, and
will also deliver real Kodak pictures through Kodak Perfect Touch
Technology.

“Consumers are using digital cameras, and in turn, we are
seeing an incredible surge in the demand to print digital
pictures,” said Hodges “By extending our kiosk line
with the KODAK Picture Kiosk, and creating innovative features and
tools for our current G3 kiosk family, we’re generating new
opportunities for retailers to leverage digital printing technology
for increased sales.”

Noritsu
America Corporation (www.noritsu.com) had on exhibit for the first time the
QSS-3300 Digital Minilab along with their recently launched CT-2
Kiosk and existing line of hybrid optical/digital printer-paper
processors, film processors, and lab accessories. The QSS-3300
Digital is the next generation of quality minilabs designed to meet
the print needs of lower-volume environments while not compromising
quality and productivity. The QSS-3300 series film scanner has an
LED light source that provides consistent scanning and requires
minimal maintenance. The minilab offers a high processing capacity
for both film and digital media; 750 prints per hour for 3 x
5-inches. Image adjustment tools such as Noritsu’s Digital
Masking Software, which corrects deep and emulsion-side scratches
in film, ensure the production of high-quality prints. For
retailers seeking a network and Internet-ready kiosk, Noritsu had
on display its newly introduced Consumer Terminal (CT-2) Kiosk. The
CT-2 Kiosk is a self-service photofinishing solution with added
capabilities, such as photo transfer support for camera-phones or
those with Infrared / Bluetooth wireless device capabilities.

New consumer-friendly features offer support for multiple
languages and a streamlined software system that adds more
functionality to the touch screens and reduces transaction time.
Capabilities such as built-in image editing helps users add
filters, adjust color, crop and zoom photos, and automatically
removes red eye. Through an optional specialty print capability,
consumers may also create custom greeting cards, calendars, photo
frames, and more.

Sony Electronics (www.sony.com/digitalphotofinishing) introduced the
slimline PictureStation digital photofinishing kiosk, which is
designed to take up about half the floor space of conventional
kiosks. The slimline model fits into an array of retail
environments. The freestanding unit is just 17 inches wide, yet
shares the same software features and ease of operation as the
full-sized “deluxe” PictureStation.

“The new slimline form factor can fit into any retail
setting generating satisfied customers and profits,” said
senior marketing manager Dave Johnson. “With our new dye
sublimation printer, the new slimline kiosk will quickly raise
consumer expectations by establishing a powerful differentiation
between the PictureStation brand and others.”

Olympus (www.olympusamerica.com) was adding to its TruePrint
kiosk line a model that Joe Leo, director of engineering, calls
TruePrint Lite, reflecting its slimmed down price. The newly
designed model, operating at its booth, will have the same software
as its bigger cousins, the TruePrint 110 and 210, but will have no
receipt printer, no smart card reader, no 8 x 10 printer and no
scanner—features found on the larger systems. Joe said it
will be priced at under $7,000 with one 4 x 6 printer, the
Mitsubishi CP-9000.

Whitech
(www.whitechsolutions.com) was showing the new
Photo.Teller 1500 kiosk. Priced only slightly higher than the
Photo.Teller 1000, the new Photo.Teller 1500 features an attractive
and secure (lockable) steel shell with an internal receipt printer,
Infrared and Bluetooth sensors for cell phones and PDA’s, as
well as input from all popular digital media formats and USB
devices. With a small footprint of only 16 inches wide by 11 inches
deep, retailers can now capture new output imaging revenue from the
P.T 1500 kiosk that utilizes only a fraction over one square foot
of their counter space. The Photo.Teller 1500’s comes with
Whitech’s award winning software that includes the production
Digital Control Module (DCM) and the ability to produce CD’s
of the customer’s images for home ordering back from the
retailer (Home.Organizer).

Lucidiom, Inc. (www.lucidiom.com) was offering a new countertop photo
kiosk—the APM 1500. The 1500 joins the lineup of
Lucidiom’s Automated Photo Machines (APMs) as the executive
countertop model. This box is already creating a stir among large
retailers, who are drawn to its curved, compact design for putting
in their retail locations. Already proven to reduce costs and
increase revenue, all models of the APM offer tangible and
compelling benefits to retailers seeking to improve their
customers’ experiences. The APM 1500’s sleek, silver
and black case is expertly engineered. The receipt printer is built
into the unit and a fast CD drive allows for a quick burn to
CD.